Oil and gas

The goal of the proposed research project is to explore applications of frequency combs, for which laboratory applications have already been demonstrated, in an industrial setting. The research will be mainly focused on chemical sensing of stack emissions for monitoring purposes. As a secondary objective, the use of frequency combs in vibrometric measurements for structural health monitoring applications will also be explored. For the most promising applications, the project will be concluded with work on a development roadmap for a commercial platform.

Permeation of CO2 gas through the inner layer in multi-layer fiber reinforced pipes (FRPs) destructively reduces pipedurability. FRPs generally consist of three or more layers of polymer and reinforcing fibers. Gas permeation thoroughthe polymer layer and its accumulation in reinforcing layer leads to pipe failure during depressurizing cycles. Using claynano-platelet can lead to decrease gas permeability in polymer layers. Good dispersion and good adhesion between clay nano-layers and polymer are key features for optimization of gas permeability. This study will focus on optimizing

The ultimate goal of this project is to detect and localize leaks in pipelines in real time. Hifi Engineering has developed distributed fiber optic sensors. Measurements are obtained at evenly spaced intervals along the pipeline (called channels). This project aims to develop data processing tools to improve leak detection and localization. Many events occur along a pipeline whose effects are registered by sensors (trucks driving by, compressors turning on, leaks). Events are registered in many channels as sounds propagate down the pipeline.

The main objective of this project is to conduct a comprehensive data analysis of the full scale ice impact measurement and temperature measurements taken on board an Arctic tanker and compare with existing data sets and analytical models. The results will be used in support of developing and improving ice class rules, design criteria, and guidance on modern large icebreaking merchant vessels to enhance safety of Polar Ships. The results may also be used to validate or calibrate ice transit simulation models.

This project would seek to develop an integrated system incorporating a reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reactor to convert carbon dioxide and hydrogen into carbon monoxide and water, aiming for maximum production of carbon monoxide. RWGS is an endothermic, catalytic, equilibrium-limited reaction, so the project team will seek to develop efficient, novel catalysts and supports, an optimal reactor design, and an efficient separation/recycling system so as to minimize wastage of unreacted raw materials.

Leak detection and location identification of leakage of arctic pipelines in a timely manner is very important because the economic impact of an oil spill to its stakeholders can be huge. It could have an adverse impact on life, the environment, the economy and corporate reputation. In this study a numerical investigations will be employed using CFD packages for simulating pipeline leaks using various test fluids. The simulation will show the influence of small leaks on local pressure and temperature gradients, and the acoustic signature contours around the leak source.

Hydraulic fracturing is a process where fluids are injected in high pressure into wells and fracture the rocks. This process is the driver for shale gas extraction and therefore its efficiency plays a major role for unconventional oil recovery. One of the key questions in such a process is the extent that the pressurized fluids penetrate the reservoir. The goal of this research is to investigate the use of electromagnetic methods for the imaging, identification and control of this process.

Tailings produced by oil sands mining operations are a long-term liability. Separation of water from fine solids is a critical operational and environmental challenge for tailings management and reclamation. Current methods have ongoing challenges to meet geotechnical performance criteria, and require expensive processes and movement of very large amounts of fluids and solids. Electrokinetic Solutions (EKS) has developed a process for electrical stimulation of oil sands tailings that dewaters and strengthens the resulting soil with simple electrodes and no moving parts.

Marine icing problems pose significant risk to both marine vessel stability and human safety during harsh weather operations. The project will address a need for better physical understanding of marine icing phenomena and the development of appropriate sensors for detecting marine icing conditions. Current technologies have proven inadequate for marine conditions due to the complex nature of marine structures and the conditions leading to icing, as many are developed for fresh water environments or atmospheric icing conditions for aeronautical and/or land based structures.

There is growing pressure from intergovernmental organizations, governments and consumers to reduce the quantity of greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere. Investments in green technology such as renewable energy sources, battery technology and carbon capture and sequestration can often yield significant reductions in carbon emissions. However, the corresponding economic costs of these projects can regularly result in a balancing act between environmental benefit and affordable energy consumption. Smart Energy Network, SEN, systems could provide a solution to this dilemma.